INSURANCE/GROUP-STATE: Provides with respect to participation by certain retirees in insurance programs sponsored by the state's Office of Group Benefits

HLS 26RS-1978 ORIGINAL
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 1061
BY REPRESENTATIVE GREEN
INSURANCE/GROUP-STATE: Provides with respect to participation by certain retirees
in insurance programs sponsored by the state's Office of Group Benefits
1 AN ACT
2 To enact R.S. 42:808(A)(12), relative to participation in insurance programs sponsored by
3 the state's Office of Group Benefits; to authorize participation by certain retirees; to
4 provide for an effective date; and to provide for related matters.
5 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
6 Section 1. R.S. 42:808(A)(12) is hereby enacted to read as follows:
7 §808. Eligibility in group programs
8 A. For the purposes of participating in life, health, or other programs
9 sponsored by the Office of Group Benefits, an employee is defined as:
10 * * *
11 (12) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a retired
12 employee who meets all of the following criteria:
13 (a) Prior to retirement, the retiree participated in the Office of Group
14 Benefits as an employee pursuant to any provision of Paragraphs (1) through (11) of
15 this Subsection for at least one year.
16 (b) The retiree's aggregated years of participation in Office of Group
17 Benefits plans between participation as an employee and as a spouse of an employee
18 are greater than or equal to twenty years.
19 (c) After retirement, the retiree experiences a qualifying life event that
20 triggers conditions for special enrollment pursuant to 29 CFR 2590.701-6.
21 * * *
22 Section 2. This Act shall become effective January 1, 2027.
Page 1 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
HLS 26RS-1978 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 1061
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 1061 Original 2026 Regular Session Green
Abstract: Authorizes a retiree who meets certain criteria to participate in group insurance
plans sponsored by the state's Office of Group Benefits (OGB).
Present law establishes OGB to sponsor and administer group life, health, and other
insurance programs on behalf of participating employers for the benefit of their employees.
Authorizes not only state employees to participate in these programs, but also employees of
specifically enumerated local employers, including school boards that elect this
participation, the district attorney for the city of New Orleans and active employees of his
office, and parish judges paid in full or in part by the state. Authorizes coverage not only
for employees of these employers, but also for the employee's dependents, as defined by
present law, which includes a spouse.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, proposed law authorizes participation by a retired employee who
meets all of the following criteria:
(1) Prior to retirement, the retiree participated as an employee in an OGB sponsored
plan.
(2) The retiree's aggregate years of participation in OGB sponsored plans as both an
employee and the spouse of an employee are greater than or equal to 20 years.
(3) After retirement, the retiree experiences a qualifying life event.
Effective January 1, 2027.
(Adds R.S. 42:808(A)(12))
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.